General strikes planned in three EU states

Protesters throw petrol bombs at riot police officers during a 24-hour nationwide general strike in Athens on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012. General strikes are planned for next month in Spain and Portugal. (AP Photo/Kostas Tsironis)

MADRID — Spain’s Workers’ Commissions union has called a general strike for Nov. 14, coinciding with similar protests in Portugal and Greece.

The general strike, called to protest the conservative government’s austerity measures and labour reforms, is the second to be held in Spain this year. A partially successful one was held March 29.

Union spokesman Fernando Lezcano said it would be the first ever joint general strike in Iberian neighbours Spain and Portugal.

Spain’s other main worker’s group, the General Workers’ Union, is expected to back the stoppage later Friday.

Spain is in its second recession in three years and has near 25 per cent unemployment. The austerity programs and reforms are aimed at convincing investors and international authorities the country can manage its finances without a need for a full-blown bailout.